Here are two things to keep in mind about racism and the role it plays in the overheated immigration debate:
No. 1: It ought to be abundantly clear by now that wanting a secure border and condemning illegal immigration don't make you a racist. No. 2: For people to put any credence at all in No. 1, it is critically important that anti-illegal immigration activists seize every opportunity to rid their movement of racists, nativists, xenophobes and bigots who are flocking to the immigration issue like flies to rotten fruit.

In less than 11 months, the first of America's 77 million baby boomers will retire, a landmark event in the long-term demographic makeover of the United States into a much older nation. Visitors to Florida are often struck by how in certain communities there are more pharmacies than 7-Elevens, every restaurant touts “early bird” specials, and streets empty soon after dark.

No doubt about it. The most frequently voiced goal of kids growing up in the last 50 years has been to become an astronaut. Little boys – and, more lately, little girls, too – have aspired to push their career envelope toward outer space.